Graduate Education at UCSB

The University of California, Santa Barbara offers innovative graduate programs that are among the finest in the world. Consistently ranked among the top research universities in the nation, UCSB is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The faculty includes five Nobel laureates, as well as Fellows of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as winners of MacArthur “genius” grants, Guggenheim fellowships, and many other distinguished awards.

UC Santa Barbara is home to dozens of national research centers, organized research units, and interdisciplinary research groups. Intensive research and close faculty mentorship are integral parts of graduate training. Recognizing that the future will increasingly call for individuals who can traverse traditional academic boundaries, UCSB provides many opportunities for graduate students to actively participate in the highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment of the campus. Fifteen doctoral emphases provide opportunities for structured programming around interdisciplinary topics and can be optionally added to degrees.

UCSB recognizes that true excellence is only achieved if we educate the best and brightest students in the world. We warmly welcome applications from students across the social and international spectrums. Our campus is poised to become the first Hispanic Serving Institution in the AAU. It hosts a vibrant and diverse student body and especially encourages applications from students who bring perspectives that advance UCSB’s twin goals of excellence and diversity.

UCSB graduate students are trained to assume leadership positions in academia, private industry, non-profits, and public service. The campus offers a well rounded suite of professional development activities that help students prepare for employment opportunities and discover the career pathways most suited to their needs and interests. Programming includes graduate certificate programs in Management Practice and in College and University Teaching.